Kukla's Korner Hockey

Entries with the tag: terry gregson

While there is no official change to the goaltender interference rule, there is, however, a distinct change in inteference calls among skaters.

Players, particularly defencemen, have been left shaking their heads, trying to adapt to a new standard where they can’t get in the way of attacking forwards when they chip the puck behind them. On top of that, referees are also cracking down on players who are perceived to be “diving” in order to draw a penalty.

Gregson says that officials made a conscious decision in the summer to change the standard on both fronts.

“Officials need to be better at reacting to the play where there is a foul and then the player who is fouled embellishes. They were told at (summer) camp that we have to be stronger in the enforcement of this call.”

Senators players figure it will take some time for both them and the referees to figure out exactly how much interference will be tolerated. Alfredsson acknowledges the new rules make it tougher for defencemen to defend, but as time passes, he says players will discover the fine line between what’s fair and what’s a foul.

Terry Gregson, who spent 25 years as an NHL referee, was named the League’s Senior Vice President and Director of Officiating Tuesday. In his new position, Gregson, who officiated 1,427 regular-season and 158 Stanley Cup Playoff games, will assume overall management of the officiating staff.

“I’ve watched and been a part of the direction the game has taken in the last four years and have been excited to be a part of it,” Gregson told NHL.com. “We’re going to stay the course. It is a great opportunity to continue on and keep things going in the right direction.”